A Day In The Life of Lila Wilkins by Lucy Arlington

Feb 19, 2014

I am so lucky. Everything seems to have fallen into place for me. My life in Inspiration Valley is idyllic. I live in a pretty yellow house with periwinkle shutters. My gardens are coming along beautifully, and I love nothing more than getting dirt under my nails while I transform it into my vision of a colorful impressionist garden.

My son, Trey, who is away at college, has grown into a responsible young man, and for the first time in his eighteen years of life I hardly worry about him. My mother and I are getting along wonderfully. Because of her insights on some distressing murders in our town, I respect her powers as the Amazing Althea much more, and no longer regard her pronouncements as nonsense.

Police officer Sean Griffiths and I are very much a couple in love. We aren’t actually living together, but we might as well be because Sean sleeps over as often as he can. Unfortunately, both of our jobs keep us busy so coordinating our schedules to spend time together can be a challenge.

Speaking of jobs, I still adore mine as a literary agent at A Novel Idea Literary Agency. Every day I get to go to work and read. Who wouldn’t love a job like that? My co-workers are great and they are like family to me—Flora Merriweather, the plump children’s book agent; Franklin Stafford, the refined non-fiction agent; Jude Hudson, agent for thriller and suspense; Zach Cohen, aka Mr. Hollywood, my boss, the unflappable Bentley Burlington-Duke, and last but certainly not least, our office manager, Vicky Crump.

This spring, Inspiration Valley is hosting Taste of the Town, a festival of food, and the Novel Idea Literary Agency is sponsoring the Books and Cooks portion of the festival. I’ll be organizing a grand celebrity chef event, complete with cooking demonstrations, cookbook giveaways, and even a culinary writing contest. I’m pretty excited about it, especially because I’ll finally get to meet Klara Patrick, a celebrity chef whose TV show I try not to miss.

In the midst of all this activity, my best friend Makayla, barista extraordinaire, has been receiving mysterious notes from a secret admirer. This is the kind of mystery that’s fun to solve!

However, the Books and Cooks events will take up most of my time and attention. I’m looking forward to the festival and hope it will all run smoothly. With the writing contest, I expect to discover some talented new authors to add to my list.

What I don’t expect, however, is an explosion in the test kitchen and a murder…

You can read more about Lila in Books, Cooks, and Crooks, the third book in the “Novel Idea” mystery series, published by Berkley Prime Crime. The first book in the series is Buried in a Book. Books are available at retail and online booksellers.

GIVEAWAY: Comment on this post by noon EST on February 20, and you will be entered for a chance to win a copy of Books, Cooks, and Crooks. One winner will be chosen at random. Unless specified, U.S. entries only.

Meet the author
Lucy Arlington is the nom de plume for the writing team of Sylvia May and Ellery Adams. As an amalgamated personality, she is an avid reader, cook, and gardener. If she had her way, she’d divide her time between preparing delectables in her kitchen, traveling the globe on her scooter, and sitting in a comfortable chair with a cup of coffee and a paperback until her legs cramped. Lucy is devoted to her husband and children – especially when they ply her with chocolate and gift cards to bookstores. Lucy’s third novel, “Books, Cooks, and Crooks” has just been released. Her first two novels in the Novel Idea Mystery Series, “Buried in a Book” and “Every Trick in the Book” were both New York Times Bestsellers. Visit her website at www.lucyarlington.com.

Sylvia May is the author of “The Unraveling of Abby Settel” and the soon to be released “Breathing Space.” Visit her website at www.sylviamay.com.

Ellery Adams is the author of Books By the Bay Mysteries and the Charmed Pie Shoppe Mysteries and the forthcoming Book Retreat Mysteries. Visit her website at www.elleryadamsmysteries.com.

Follow dru’s book musing on Facebook for book giveaways, contests, posting about discounted books and some of my reading musings.

32 Comments

Inspiration Valley is one of favorite cozy towns. Loved the first two and can’t wait to visit again.

Carletta Culp
on February 19, 2014 at 6:08 am

I have not had the opportunity to visit Inspiration Valley, but appears to be town I want to check out. I want to know more about Lila and all the things happening around her and involving her. She certainly sounds like a favorite person to know! Thank you for chance to win.

Jane R
on February 19, 2014 at 6:51 am

I really like this series. I’m looking forward to the latest book. Thanks for the review!

Marcy maddox
on February 19, 2014 at 7:08 am

Oh wow I am enthralled with this series. I have read Ellery Adams books but will now start reading Lucy ‘s books. The character Lila and I have so much in common that I thought I was reading my autobiography! Thanks for the introduction!

Barbara Jones
on February 19, 2014 at 7:15 am

Sounds good to me! Thanks for the opportunity to win a copy.

Gram
on February 19, 2014 at 7:22 am

Sounds like another fun series…I will never get to read them all, but it is fun to try!

griperang
on February 19, 2014 at 7:29 am

This is a fun series. Thank you for the chance to win

Kathy Gonzales
on February 19, 2014 at 7:37 am

I have had this series on my wish list for awhile, can’t wait to start reading it !

Dawn Frazier
on February 19, 2014 at 8:09 am

Looking forward to starting this series!

sarah
on February 19, 2014 at 8:22 am

I’d love to win!

Debbie Carnes
on February 19, 2014 at 8:26 am

Sounds good, would love to win/read it

Carol M
on February 19, 2014 at 8:41 am

Would love to read this!

Debbie
on February 19, 2014 at 8:44 am

I have this on my list, it sounds like my kind of series. Thank you for the chance to win.

I’ve read all three books in this series and find them to be delightful reads. They bring in remembrances of other books within the story. I love that and the sandwiches named for famous people. The mysteries fit right into the story line perfectly. Not looking to win the book this time, but someone will be a lucky reader who does get this book!!

Alicia Farage
on February 19, 2014 at 3:33 pm

I love this series! hoping I win….

Kiki
on February 19, 2014 at 8:29 pm

Sounds like a great cozy mystery.

Jan
on February 19, 2014 at 9:11 pm

This sounds like a great series! I’m already a fan of Ellery Adams’s series, so I’m anxious to see what’s in store with this collaboration!

Lindar
on February 19, 2014 at 9:21 pm

Loved the first 2! And, ready for the latest. Love all of Ellery Adams. I read her J.B Stanley Collectibles mystery series as well as Supper Cub mystery series before I knew Ellery Adams was Stanley. And I’ve read all of later series.

Lisa Garrett
on February 19, 2014 at 9:43 pm

I would like to live in a pretty yellow house with periwinkle shutters!

rhonda
on February 19, 2014 at 10:12 pm

Sounds like a perfect read for me.

Cynthia E. Blain
on February 19, 2014 at 11:35 pm

I have read book 1 in this series and thought I had book 2, but before I started to write this, I looked for the second book and I guess I don’t have it or I lent it out. But in any case, I was very impressed with the first book of this series and would definitely like to win book 3 and get up to date on my reading of this. I love cozies anyway, but introduce food into them, and I am hooked. Ellery is a great writer on her own, so teamed up with Sylvia makes the stories even more intensified. The character of this book is so funny to read about and I am looking forward to getting back on track with this series. Not enough hours in the day to read everything I like, that is for sure.

Debra Woloson
on February 20, 2014 at 12:56 am

Thank you for the review and the giveaway. I have really enjoyed this series and have been waiting for the next book. I hope I win but I will read Books, Cooks and Crooks.